COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTIONThis abbey ale is a collaboration between Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and the monks, at the Abbey of New Clairvaux. Belgian inspired golden ales are noted for their devilish personalities, but there is nothing mischievous about this complex ale. It is brilliant golden and layered with notes of summery apple and pear and pepperv spice from the use of a traditional Belgian yeast strain. A portion of proceeds from this ale goes toward the restoration of the historic Santa Maria de Ovila chapter house on the grounds of the Abbey of New Clairvaux. This medieval building stood for nearly eight centuries in Spain. William Randolph Hearst purchased the monastery 1931 and planned use the stones for a castle even grander than his famous San Simeon. Although Hearst’s, plans crumbled. these historic stones will rise again in a California Cistercian abbey.

750 ml caged and corked bottle, bottled on May 2, 2012. A couple seconds after I got the cage off, the cork shot itself out of the bottle like a rocket and whacked the ceiling pretty good, so you might want to be careful opening this brew. Served in a Unibroue tulip, the beer pours a slightly hazy dark gold color with a couple inch off-white head. Head retention and lacing are both good. It smells like pears, apples, Belgian yeast, bready malt and peppery spice. Taste is similar to the aroma, it tastes like pears, peppery spice, cloves, apple juice, and bready malt. Mouthfeel/body is medium, with high but soft carbonation which helps make this brew easy to drink. I think it’s a good overall beer, I’d certainly try it again in the future. $9.99 a bottle.

Pretty beer, lightly hazed gold with a lovely lasting head. Aroma is lightly of pils malts and faint Belgian yeast spice. Flavor is similar, but with a nice fruity note in the background, mostly apple and pear. Very well done, especially for an American brewer taking on a Belgian style. Enjoyable in a Duvel style.

A nice clear golden color with a big head that faded to a thin coating, some lace and a good presence of carbonation. Light toasted malts upfront but mostly fruity esters and barnyard yeast notes on the nose. Flavor had a nice sweetness to it, apples came to mind and a slight candied sugar. A nice twang from the yeast off set the sweetness. Mild toasted malts. A decent amount of carbonation that seemed to only elevate the body and finish,

Bottle.
Head is initially large, fizzy/frothy, white, mostly diminishing.
Body is hazy dark yellow.
Aroma is lightly to moderately malty (toasted grain), lightly hoppy (herbs), lightly yeasty (cobwebs), with notes of pepper, gum, apple skin, alcohol.
Flavor is moderately to heavily sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter.
Finish is lightly sweet, lightly acidic, moderately bitter.
Medium body, watery texture, fizzy/lively carbonation, moderately alcoholic.
Easily the best of the four Ovila beers so far. It’s still fairly simplistic, as with the others, but the nose and flavor balance are both quite pleasant. Very peppery. A bit too fizzy, but not really out of character. WARNING...heed the paper that covers the cork...this thing is so overcarbonated that as soon as I freed the sides of the cage from the lip, the cork exploded outward with incredible force and a report like a gun shot. Scared the crap outta me, even though I am always somewhat fearful of champagne-style beer enclosures (see also Moa Imperial Stout, Hanssens Mead The Gueuze).

750ml bottle. Grabbed the cork and could tell it was under extreme pressure. I eased it out with a huge pop and no gushing. Clear golden with a foamy off white head. Aroma of musty yeast, honey, apple, spicy peppercorn and light alcohol. Flavor of zesty spice and yeast, alcohol, sugary malt and a light tartness. Medium body with active carbonation. Really nice beer, easy to drink.

Join us! RateBeer is made by beer enthusiasts for the craft beer community.
Your basic membership is free and allows you to read all beer ratings.
Click here to create your account... and give your opinion!